Abstract:

The aim of this study was to assess validity of the “Drawing of nonexistent animal” test using the Bass-Darky aggressiveness questionnaire and personal anxiety Spielberger–Hanin scale. The drawing of nonexistent animal was analyzed using 18 parameters, including the number of teeth, claws, eyes, wings, tails, legs, horns and took into account their orientation. Statistical software STATGRAPHICS Plus for Windows was used to assess correlation between characteristics of the drawing and indicators of anxiety and aggression, using the p-value of <0.05. We have examined 76 subjects of both sexes between ages of 19 and 39 years old as part of the study. We could not confirm a number of interpretations of "nonexistent animal drawing" which were previously described in the literature. In particular, the presence of teeth, horns and claws was not associated with aggressiveness as defined by the Bass-Darky test. On the other hand, a negative correlation was observed between drawing of tails and suspicion, resentment and guilt. In addition, we found that the fewer limbs were drawn by a person, the more frequently he or she would tend to express negativity; verbal aggression was expressed in drawing larger animals and taking over the entire space of the drawing paper.

Keywords: projective techniques, validity, drawing of nonexistent animal